SINGLE AXIS SOLAR POWER TRACKER SYSTEM

A PROJECT REPORT

Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the requirements for the

award of the degree of

BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY
In
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

Made under the guidance of: Dr. A.R. Kulkarni

Made by: 2K21/EE/49 Ankit

2K21/EE/58 Anshul Gautam
2K21/EE/130 Hemang Jaswani
 CANDIDATES DECLARATION

We Hemang Jaswani 2K21/EE/130, Anshul Gautam 2K21/EE/58,

Ankit 2K21/EE/49 students of Btech(Electrical engineering), hereby
declare that the project dissertation titled “Single Axis Solar Power
Tracker System” which is submitted by us to the Electrical Department,
Delhi Technological University, in partial fulfillment of the requirement
for the award for the degree of Bachelor of Technology, is original and not
copied from any source without proper Citation. This work has not been
submitted in part or full for any degree or diploma to this university or
elsewhere

Date: Name of Students

 CERTIFICATE

I hereby certify that the project dissertation titled “Single Axis Solar
Power Tracker System ” which is submitted by Hemang Jaswani
2K21/EE/130, Ankit 2K21/EE/49, Anshul 2K21/EE/58 of DELHI
TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY, Delhi in partial fulfillment of the
requirement for the award of the degree of bachelor of technology, is a
record of the project carried out by the students under my supervisions to
the best of my knowledge. This work has not been submitted in part or full
for any degree or diploma to this university or elsewhere

Supervisor: Dr. A.R. Kulkarni

Signature: Date:
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
In performing our project, we had to take the help and guideline of some
persons who deserve our greatest gratitude. The completion of the minor
project gives us much pleasure. We would like to show our gratitude to
Dr. A.R. Kulkarni, the supervisor of our project. Giving us good guidelines
for the report throughout numerous problems. We would also like to thank
all those who have directly or indirectly helped in writing this report.
Additionally, we would like to thank the Electrical Department of Delhi
Technological University for allowing us to work on this project.
 ABSTRACT

The Single Axis Solar Power Tracker System using an Arduino

is designed to enhance solar panel efficiency by following the
sun's movement across both horizontal and vertical axes. This
approach improves energy production by 30-40%, making it
valuable for industrial solar farms and off-grid installations. By
employing an Arduino, light- dependent resistors (LDRs), and
servo motors, the system ensures precise panel adjustments to
maximize sunlight exposure. Compared to static panels, this
method reduces reliance on fossil fuels and supports
sustainable energy solutions. The project balances cost and
performance, addressing mechanical wear, weather variability,
and the complexity of implementation while optimizing
renewable energy generation.
CONTENTS
● Objective
● Introduction
● Components used
● Software used
● Circuit-Diagram
● Working of the system
● Code
● Results
● Future
● References
 OBJECTIVE

A Single Axis Solar Power Tracker System is a project aimed at

optimizing solar panel efficiency by ensuring they receive
maximum sunlight throughout the day. This is achieved by
adjusting the solar panels along one axe (horizontal) to follow
the sun’s movement, maximizing energy generation.

Industrial Value
●Efficiency Gains: A single-axis solar tracker can increase
energy production by 30-40%, making it highly valuable in
industrial solar farms where optimizing space and energy
output is critical.

●Energy Savings: Reduced reliance on fossil fuels and efficient

energy use lead to lower operational costs for energy-intensive
industries.

●Environmental Impact: Companies are increasingly required

to reduce carbon emissions, and a system like this helps
them meet regulatory requirements.
 INTRODUCTION
Solar energy is one of the most abundant and
reliable sources of renewable energy available
today. Harnessing it efficiently is crucial for
meeting the growing energy demands while
minimizing environmental impact. Traditional
fixed solar panels capture sunlight at a static
angle, which limits their ability to generate
maximum power throughout the day as the
sun’s position changes. To address this
limitation, solar tracking systems have been
developed to dynamically adjust the orientation
of solar panels, ensuring they capture the
maximum possible sunlight.
A single-axis solar tracker system represents a
significant advancement in solar tracking
technology. Unlike single- axis trackers, which
follow the sun’s movement along one plane
(either east-west or north- south), single-axis
trackers can move along both horizontal and
vertical axes. This enables the system to
continuously align solar panels perpendicular to
the sun’s rays, thereby optimizing energy
capture across the entire day and throughout
the year. Studies indicate that single-axis
trackers can improve solar energy generation
efficiency by 30-40% compared to static
systems.
This project focuses on designing and
implementing a Single Axis Solar Power Tracker
System using an Arduino. The system employs
light-dependent resistors (LDRs) to detect sunlight
intensity and servo motors for precise panel
movement. The Arduino is chosen for its simplicity,
reliability, and cost-effectiveness, making it ideal
for this application. The project's goal is to provide
a practical solution for enhancing solar energy
utilization, particularly in industrial solar farms and
remote installations where maximizing efficiency is
critical.
By integrating cost-effective components and
efficient design, this single-axis solar tracker
offers a sustainable and scalable solution for
renewable energy systems, addressing
challenges such as environmental concerns,
operational costs, and energy reliability.
In conclusion, The Single Axis Solar Power
Tracker System demonstrates a practical and
efficient solution for optimizing solar energy
generation. By utilizing an Arduino, light-
dependent resistors, and servo motors, the
system ensures precise alignment of solar
panels with the sun’s position, significantly
enhancing energy output compared to static
systems. The single-axis capability allows the
panels to follow the sun across both horizontal
and vertical planes, maximizing sunlight capture
throughout the day and across different seasons.
The primary objective of this report is to
maximize the efficiency of solar energy
generation by ensuring solar panels receive the
maximum possible sunlight throughout the day.
This is achieved through a dynamic tracking
mechanism that adjusts the panels along
horizontal axe to follow the sun's movement,
thereby optimizing energy output and
contributing to sustainable and cost-effective
renewable energy solutions.
COMPONENTS USED:
Arduino Uno

The Arduino Uno is a popular, open-source

microcontroller board based on the ATmega328P
microcontroller. It’s a versatile and
widely-used platform for DIY electronics projects,
prototyping, and learning programming. The Arduino
Uno is designed to be easy to use, with a simple and
intuitive programming environment (Arduino
Integrated Development Environment, or IDE).

Key Features and Specifications the Arduino Uno has

several key features that make it a great choice for a
wide range of projects. It is equipped with an
ATmega328P microcontroller, which is an 8- bit processor
that runs at 16 MHz. The board has 14 digital I/O pins, 6
of which have PWM output, allowing for a wide range of
applications. Additionally, it has 6 analog I/O pins, a Type
B USB connection for programming and communication,
and can be powered via a 7-12V DC input or through the
USB connection.
SENSORS USED IN PROJECT

●Light Sensor

A light sensor is a crucial component of the

Single Axis Solar Power Tracker System,
responsible for detecting the intensity and
direction of sunlight. This information allows
the system to dynamically adjust the solar
panels' orientation for optimal sunlight
exposure. In this project, light-dependent
resistors (LDRs) are utilized as the primary
light sensors due to their simplicity, cost-
effectiveness, and sensitivity to varying
light levels.

LDRs function by altering their electrical

resistance in response to changes in light
intensity. When exposed to higher levels of
light, their resistance decreases, and when
light intensity reduces, their resistance
increases. This change in resistance is
measured and processed by the
microcontroller, which uses the data to
control the movement of the servo motors,
ensuring that the solar panels are always
aligned with the strongest light source.
JUMPER WIRES

Jumper wires are an essential component in

electronics prototyping, allowing users to
connect components without soldering. They
are typically made of insulated wire with
connectors at each end, designed to fit into
breadboards, headers, or other connectors.

Solar Panel

A solar panel is the core energy-harvesting

component of a solar power system, designed to
convert sunlight into electrical energy through the
photovoltaic effect. In the Single Axis Solar Power
Tracker System, the solar panel serves as the
primary source of renewable energy, and its
efficiency is significantly enhanced by the
dynamic tracking mechanism that keeps it aligned
with the sun.

Servomotor

A servomotor is a type of rotary or linear actuator designed to

provide precise control of angular or linear position, velocity, and
acceleration. It is widely used in applications requiring high
performance, accuracy, and efficiency, such as robotics, CNC
machinery, and automation systems. Servomotors continue to play
a critical role in advancing technologies that demand precision and
efficiency, making them indispensable in modern engineering and
automation.
SOFTWARES USED:

ARDUINO IDE
The Arduino IDE is a software application that allows users to write, compile,
and upload code to Arduino boards. It is the primary environment for
programming and interacting with Arduino hardware, which is commonly used
in DIY electronics, prototyping, and educational projects.
CIRCUIT DIAGRAM:

Components: Servomotor

Solar Panel

Jumper Wire

LDR Module

Arduino Uno
 Working of the system:

◻ Sunlight Detection:

 Light sensors, typically LDRs, are placed on either side of the solar panel.
 The sensors detect the intensity of sunlight and send corresponding signals to
the microcontroller.

◻ Signal Processing:

 The microcontroller compares the signals from the light sensors to determine
the direction of maximum sunlight.
 If there is a significant difference in light intensity between the sensors,
the microcontroller identifies the need for adjustment.

◻ Panel Adjustment:

 The microcontroller sends control signals to the motor driver, which in turn
powers the motor.
 The motor rotates the solar panel along the single axis until the light
sensors detect equal sunlight intensity, indicating optimal alignment.

◻ Energy Optimization:

 Throughout the day, the system continuously monitors sunlight direction

and adjusts the panel as needed.
 At the end of the day, the panel can return to its initial position for the next
cycle, depending on the design.
There are three conditions to be

followed: - Condition 1:

Sun is in left side — Light on sensor1 is high because shadow of

barrier falls on sensor 2 so solar plate moves clockwise.

Condition 2:

Sun is in right Side — Light on sensor2 is high because shadow of

barrier falls on sensor1 so solar plate movie anticlockwise.

Condition 3:

Sun is in the middle — Light on both sensors are equal so, plate will
not rotate in any direction.
Code :
RESULTS:

The data from the two LDRs are converted to analogue

voltages and compared to hour by hour. But there are not
much changed in the day. If here is no light, the system is
switched off to reduce power consumption.

Table 1. shows the comparison of the voltages on cloudy day.

CONCLUSION

An Arduino based single axis solar tracking system was designed and
constructed in the current work. LDR light sensors were used to sense
the light intensity of the sun with the help of the photovoltaic cells. The
stepper motor had enough torque to drive the panel. Stepper motors
are noise free and are affordable, making them the best choice for the
project. The compact, cost effective and reliability of this solar tracker
is intended to suitable for the rural usage. The purpose of renewable
energy from this work offered advance in idea to help the people. This
system can be designed to provide electricity to the entire home by
changing solar panel, using more efficient sensors and designing the
charge controller. Instead of single axis tracker, dual axis tracker are
also performed and compared to the single axis. Solar car and solar
motorbike can be developed for pollution problems without using
resource from the world.
REFERENCES:

1. Adafruit

2. Handson Technology

3. www.rajgureelectronics.com

4. www.youtube.com

5.www.google.com

6. https://heliomotion.com
THANK YOU